Thursday, April 3, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME













So yesterday was my birthday, but today feels more like it because I get to go home. Yesterday was still awesome though thanks to my unit. We formed up around 2000hrs and Maj. Spagel talked to us about our pass and told us to take care of our family. He said not to bring our military mentality home. The two worlds are different and there is a military way and a family way. At home, Heather is the commander in chief and we shouldn't expect to order people around or demand for the same type of structure we're now used to in the Army.

At the end of formation, the commander called Spc. Turner to post, and I was so happy all of a sudden. I knew it was going to happen for him. 1st Sgt. Speaks called attention to orders and Specialist Turner became Sergeant Turner. Now he has the stripes, and I think he deserves it. He's almost approaching 40 and I think it really relieved him making rank last night. He looked so joyous when he ran back to formation.

The thing about making rank, if you handle it right, is that you grow into respecing others more instead of less. Just in March when I made Staff Sgt. I suddenly felt like my priority was to recognize people's duties with a lot more appreciation. There was still that ugly sense of wanting to look around and see who I outrank now, but I feel like that's going away. There's also a burden to the rank but that's why the Army increases your pay. Suddenly you can't make excuses anymore. You're SUPPOSED to know what's going on, and it's your job to inform other Soldiers. As a Sergeant, you have to become somewhat of a nagging father to the specilaists and privates-- some of whom are ten years older than me or more. It's an odd feeling at times, and it's really jarring when I spend time to think about it. The commander and first sergeant don't treat me like a 22-year old... they treat me like a staff sergeant.

Well actually, now I'm 23 (yes, I know, big difference). After Turner made it back into formation, Major Spagel called us back to attentiona and everyone broke out into "Happy Birthday." I never thought it would mean so much to be sung Happy Birthday by a group of Soldiers, but it really felt awesome. Maybe I'm looking into it too much, but I felt like they appreciated me and, yes, that they had love for me. It's encouraging as a Soldier when you have that kind of support. I mean, these are the same guys who ran around on a Easter-egg hunt just a few Sundays ago.

So after they finished singing, they all lined up on two sides to have me run through the spanking tunnel. I even handed my Posh Paddle to 2nd Lt. Skindell to have the honor and privilege of whacking me a few good ones.

They even bought me a cake that read: "Happy Birthday Ninja Turtle" (the nickname is because I look like a turtle in my IBA... just look below for pics). The Major decorated it himself with the help of Lt. Glaubach and other leadership. I mean, who does that?

Except on the top right corner there was a little drawing made out of frosting that the Major claimed to be a gun.

"I really did try to draw a gun, but it didn't turn out right."

I'll let you figure out what it DID look like.

1 comment:

Admin said...

Happy Birthday to you! Wishing you a long, happy, contented and accomplished life.